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Well-Care Visits

What is a well-care visit?

In addition to taking your child to the doctor when your child is ill, or needs an examination to participate in a particular activity, routine well-care visits are recommended.

Well-care, well-baby, or well-child visits are routine visits to the child's doctor for the following reasons:

Physical examinations

Immunization updates

Tracking growth and development

Finding any problems before they become serious

Information on health and safety issues

Information on nutrition and physical fitness

Information on how to manage emergencies and illnesses

Your child's doctor can also provide guidance on other issues, such as the following:

Behavioral problems

Learning problems

Emotional problems

Family problems

Socialization problems

Puberty and concerns about teenage years

When should well-care visits be scheduled?

Your child's doctor will give you a schedule of ages when a well-care visit is suggested. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this schedule for routine well-care visits at the following ages:

Before a newborn is discharged from the hospital, or at 48 to 72 hours of age